Airbnb, Uber, the iPhone.. Great ideas have to start somewhere, even if nobody has been asking for them. Now - sharing a strangers car or home is not weird, its 'normal'. And it's not weird to want a phone with a screen you can actually touch and watch.

Here's a new idea for Short term Rentals. Self-Clean On-Arrival!

Might not exactly be the 'next biggest thing' sure!.. but to add a lot of value to your Airbnb, this is new, different - and actually works. Who knew there was a lot of demand. Some guests want to pay you - to clean your house! Read on to learn more. Posting here as it's a campaign - to raise awareness, and provide tools to help any host who is open minded to try something a little new.

It's a pretty long document - feel free to read it here if you want easier navigation and images.

Self-Clean On-Arrival: Novel Listing Type for Short Term Accommodation

Welcome, fellow hosts! If you're open to innovative ways to boost your Airbnb operations, reduce costs, and delight a new segment of guests, the Self-Clean On-Arrival model might just be your next game-changer. This guide is designed to be positive, practical, and inspiring, drawing from real-world experiences of a host who's successfully implemented it across multiple listings. 

We'll cover the core concept, benefits, myth-busting, proven results, and some light-hearted anecdotes to keep things fun. We'll also explore variations in a structured list, while emphasizing that this is about light cleaning tasks (not deep scrubs) and must be balanced with regular professional cleanings. Remember, this isn't for every host or guest, but for those willing to experiment, it can unlock flexibility, savings, and surprising connections.

What is “Self-Clean On-Arrival”? 2

Benefits: Wins for Everyone Involved 2

For Guests: 2

For Hosts: 3

Busting Myths: Addressing Concerns with Facts 4

Myth: Guests Will Be Horrified or Feel Cheated. 4

Myth: It's Against Airbnb Policy, Illegal, or Indecent. 4

Myth: Airbnb Just ‘Doesn’t Like It’ 4

Myth: Guests Won't Actually Clean, Leading to Chaos. 4

Myth: Only "Weird" or Problematic Guests Book This Type. 5

Myth: Guests don’t WANT to Clean on their Holiday. 5

Myth: Guests Won't Understand and Will Complain on Arrival. 5

Myth: Guests Will Leave Me Loads More Laundry to Wash 5

Myth: Demand is Tiny; No One Wants This. 6

Results from Real Listings: Proof in the Pudding 6

Self-Clean Variations on the Theme 7

Self-Clean On-Arrival 7

Convert Professional Cleans to Self-Clean for Perks 7

Upgrade Room-Only Self-Clean to ‘Full House’ 7

Upgrade Self-Clean to Include ‘Depart-Wash’ 8

Upgrade Self-Clean to Also Include a ‘Bed-Reset’ 8

Fake Self-Clean 8

Full Price Self-Clean 9

Recruit Self-Clean Guests as Repeat Cleaners 9

Last-Minute Discount Tiering 10

Tiered Listing Types 10

Self-Clean: Private Rooms vs Whole Home 11

Amusing Anecdotes: The Lighter Side of Self-Clean 12

Final Thoughts: Give It a Go with Confidence 13

Getting Started Checklist: Self-Clean Listings 13

Review Examples for Self-Clean On-Arrival Listings 16

What is “Self-Clean On-Arrival”?

Self-Clean On-Arrival is a novel hosting approach where guests arrive at a listing that's not yet cleaned after the previous occupants. Instead, they handle basic tidying tasks themselves upon check-in. This includes making beds with fresh (professionally washed) linen, doing laundry from the prior stay, wiping down surfaces like the kitchen and bathroom (yes, even the toilet and shower), and taking out the rubbish. It's explicitly not a deep clean. No scrubbing grout, deep vacuuming under furniture, or professional-level sanitizing. Think of it as light housekeeping to reset the space for their own use.

The key is transparency: Guests must be fully informed and opt-in enthusiastically. Create a new listing which clearly describes the concept as an alternative, while still keeping your main professionally cleaned listing as well. Self-Clean is more a ‘less used option’ for those who really want it, not a ‘surprise’ for guests who thought they were booking a professionally cleaned stay.

Listing descriptions should have a "magic word" for inquiries to prove guests have properly read the details, and enforce good communication during booking - as part of actively vetting to ensure it’s a good fit.

This model works best as a gap-filler strategy, priced with last-minute discounts (e.g., via dynamic pricing tools) to attract bookings within the next month at most. It doesn't block your calendar far in advance; instead, it fills voids that might otherwise go empty due to cleaner availability or low demand. Professional cleanings remain essential. Schedule full cleans frequently (at least weekly) to maintain standards, with self-clean stays interspersed for efficiency.

This segments the market beautifully: It appeals to those who are keen to check-in very early (like a wedding party getting ready for a 1pm ceremony). It appeals to budget-conscious, flexible travelers who might never afford your full rates but are happy to trade a bit of elbow grease for savings and perks. Meanwhile, you keep premium spots open for full-price guests.

Benefits: Wins for Everyone Involved

Adopting Self-Clean On-Arrival can transform your hosting game. Here's how it shines:

For Guests:

• Ultra-Early Check-In: Arrive as early as 11 AM without waiting for cleaners. No extra fees for getting four or five hours of ‘extra time’ in the home. Get ready for an event. Settle the baby for her 12pm sleep time - while others are waiting for the usual 3pm check-in. Beat the traffic and enjoy a relaxed lunch in your new holiday home, hours earlier. Free!

• Cost Savings: Lower rates make your listing more accessible than standard bookings. This  increases occupancy rates, while also significantly reducing your cleaning expenses.

• Empowerment: Some guests (surprisingly many) enjoy the hands-on aspect, feeling like they're "earning" their stay or customizing the space. Anecdotal evidence shows that due to the increased contact with guests who adopt this model, the experience is generally more positive than the sometimes faceless guest groups who come to stay but never message the host. Those who you actively vet, and help by answering some more questions (perhaps how to start the washer etc) generate a closer, more collaborative experience. Some want to send pictures of their work to the host, and seem delighted to get credit. For the same reason some folk are delighted to pay money for an Airbnb experience called ‘Cleaning up the beach’ in Bali or the Caribbean, some actually want to come clean for their stay. Yes - it’s actually a thing. People like doing things. Who knew! - and more so - Who knew you could charge people for cleaning your own home and have them delighted!

For Hosts:

Reduced Cleaning Costs: Slash expenses by skipping professional cleans for some of your stay. Savings can be significant. And while Self-Clean bookings may be slightly cheaper, it is not always the case. Besides, the additional gap-filling bookings more than make up any shortfall.

Less Scheduling Headaches: No more juggling cleaner availability; accept back-to-backs effortlessly. It’s like your existing two night weekend guest booking suddenly got extended to become three nights. Yay! The weekend stay is ‘virtually’ extended by one day, but you don’t need to pay for cleaning for the new Monday booking, as these Self-Clean guests are paying you AND doing the cleaning after the weekend guests. Easy!

Boost Bookings: Fill calendar gaps, especially last-minute ones. Increase occupancy & revenue.

Market Segmentation: Attract a new demographic. Adventurous, communicative guests, who expand your reach without cannibalizing full-rate bookings. Be more flexible than your competitor listings nearby. Unlike them, you can offer 11am check-in. Say WHAT?!

Operational Perks: Less admin time arranging cleaners. Potential for "contra" deals such as recruiting guests as repeat cleaners. Think of it as some of the many Self-Clean guests are also doing a secret mini job interview. My co-host, gardener, and handyman are all former self-clean guests, and one was a tiler who ended up retiling my back steps. Many previous self-clean guests who booked just one room have been given further discounts to end up doing the whole house. Some end up becoming semi-regular private guests  not through a booking platform. One is now a new friend. The greater engagement you get, from vetted guests who are already flexible and communicative - means you can easily create new opportunities and connections.

Better Guest Reviews: Oddly, reviews seem to be even more positive for Self-Clean guests than average. Perhaps because of the more engaged nature of this model, and better / active host vetting to ensure a good fit. There is slightly more communication required, but this provides significant returns in both financially, as well as in the quality of your guests. Such guests are either delighted they got a ‘free’ super-early check-in, or are delighted they got a bargain, and didn’t have to pay for cleaning, but just had to spend an hour making their beds. One unexpected outcome of this model is almost zero complaints about cleaning - as these guests are signing up to BE the cleaner! So they never seem to criticise their own work in reviews!

Overall, it's a positive cycle: Happier hosts mean better vibes, which translate to glowing reviews. Don’t believe it? Check-out the listings on Airbnb. Hundreds of happy guests reported that self-cleaning was actually way easier than they expected.

Busting Myths: Addressing Concerns with Facts

Skepticism is natural. This model challenges traditional hosting norms. But let's debunk the myths with real insights:

Myth: Guests Will Be Horrified or Feel Cheated.

Reality: Not at all! With clear communication and vetting, guests arrive excited. Many leave rave reviews. Listings using this have earned "Guest Favorite" status on Airbnb with 4.9 stars. Guests are not ‘asked’ to do cleaning. They have seen, read and decided to book a listing offering that. Or, if they are asking for an early check-in, they are given an option to self-clean, if they want an 11am check-in… among others. I do always offer to charge more for a second cleaner if they want an early check-in, but this simply isn’t as popular as the ‘free’ option, of agreeing to make some beds and a light tidy up.

Myth: It's Against Airbnb Policy, Illegal, or Indecent.

Reality: Nope, it's fully legit. Airbnb allows diverse listings (from mud huts to luxury spots), as long as expectations are set clearly. Guests consent knowingly, and hundreds of stays have proven it aligns with platform rules and guest satisfaction. It’s not that your space ‘isn’t cleaned’ - it’s that you have booked a cleaner - just that they pay you! Yes, it sounds crazy, but it works. 

Airbnb doesn’t mind who you arrange to clean your space. You, your neighbour, a professional cleaner, or maybe an enthusiastic guest who has specifically asked to clean your space, but only for their own stay.

Myth: Airbnb Just ‘Doesn’t Like It’

Reality: There has been RECENT push back from Airbnb on (professionally cleaned listing) guests being asked or ‘expected’ to clean. Nobody wants to be surprised with ‘extra work’ on their holidays. Makes sense right? Yes! And so it should be! However, there is the exception being guests who want to clean, are not the ones anyone is worried about. Any guest who has seen and actively booked a Self-Clean listing is not one who is in for a surprise. It’s what they want. It’s what they booked specifically - for many different reasons.

Airbnb and guests do not like surprises. But having the extra opportunity to book a listing option, where such activities provide a clear, measurable benefit to guests - who are flexible and open to them, this is a good thing. No guest needs to book it, but it offers more opportunity to guests for whom it does fit. The main issue is one of expectations. Ensure guest expectations are met.

In the case of Self-Clean, it is not uncommon to have already cleaned though, yet get booked. Maybe there was a week of no bookings, so you may clean anyway - ready. Then a Self-Clean guest books in. This is a case of under promise, over-deliver. The guest arrives and it’s already cleaned. Surprise! But a good surprise. Winners.

Myth: Guests Won't Actually Clean, Leading to Chaos.

Reality: It's nuanced, but positive. About 80% do a stellar job, many as good as the pros. They sometimes go over and above and do slightly more than required. Some may skip tasks (like changing sheets), but with monitoring (e.g., WiFi-connected washers) and simple rules (no adding to laundry loads without washing), issues are minimal.

Plus, frequent professional cleans keep things in check. Regardless - we hosts are not the bed police, so as long as we deep clean professionally each week, who cares if someone didn’t properly make their bed or scrub the shower after it was used for two days by someone else. They get to clean to their own standard, and can’t complain about the cleaning, as they ARE the cleaner! Any issues would anyway be fixed the next day or so when your regular cleaner sweeps through.

Myth: Only "Weird" or Problematic Guests Book This Type.

Reality: Far from it! Guests range from retired couples with plenty of time on their hands (and sometimes a desire to feel useful and engaged), worker crews, to young families, and even a bride pre-wedding. They're often more flexible, communicative, and appreciative than average. Many times large wedding parties want a super early check-in, so it may be the CEO of a fintech startup that has a Land Rover in your driveway, while he and his wife are remaking beds in your home, so their group can get ready for an early afternoon wedding. You would be surprised, as it is certainly not all ‘budget’ focussed guests. Besides, those on a budget are often even more appreciative that they found your cool listing, which is cheaper than others - AND gives a super early check-in. WINNER!

Myth: Guests don’t WANT to Clean on their Holiday.

Reality: Yes. This is sort of correct. But not really. SOME Guests are tired from a long drive, or booked a stay to relax and unwind. For THESE guests, cleaning and bed making are probably the last thing on their mind. Eeiik! Yet not all are like this. 

Consider the retired couple with ample time on their hands, and a desire to be useful. They often want to clean. Consider a young family coming to visit grandma. They are on a budget, and also happy to check-in at 11am so their new baby can be settled for nap time. Consider the wedding party. Six guests means the house is done in rapid time by the group, and they are able to get ready for the wedding at lunchtime, well before others are allowed to check-in at other listings.

You are correct in thinking that some guests don’t want to clean. Maybe YOU don’t want to clean. But just like many people do not like Grape Juice flavoured Cola, or paying for a gym membership - there is a very large demographic of people who do want to do things you would never imagine you would. Each to their own. By offering a listing variation, you can tap into significant booking demand you never even knew existed! And for those who say their guests would never want this - it’s probably because you never asked, never offered, and thus would never know. Try it and see!

Myth: Guests Won't Understand and Will Complain on Arrival.

Reality: Impossible with proper vetting. We require proof of understanding via messages, and proof of positive communication. No surprises means no drama. Guests know exactly what they are getting, and are happy.

Myth: Guests Will Leave Me Loads More Laundry to Wash

Reality: Guests are required to wash the laundry, or at very least not leave more washing for you than was there already. Most Self-Clean guests will do laundry, if you manage things properly, and communicate well. Make it clear that if they do check-out leaving more laundry than was there to do on arrival, you can charge an ‘Extra cleaning fee’ to cover it. 

Mention in the listing that: “Please ensure you do a wash, or at least don’t leave more washing than was there for our busy cleaner. They don’t have time to wash and dry a double load of linen, as they need to get ready for the next guests that afternoon. If we do find laundry wasn’t done and there is extra used linen left, we need to charge an extra cleaning fee of $75 to cover the extra work. Please don’t have us need to charge extra. Laundry is easy!”

The reality is there will often be slightly more linen to wash if you run a SCOA listing - but not way more. Some guests do some but not all the linen. Some forget or get confused. Mostly it works well, and it’s also not uncommon for such guests to do both their own linen as well as that of your prior guests - which is then a bonus for you.

But accept you do need professional cleaning interspersed, to keep on top of everything. Still, if you do get guests that don’t do the right thing, it’s easy to ensure you can bill them if needed. However this should be very rare indeed. Accept that there will be some slight extra washing to do in general overall with this model - however it’s easier to sometimes have 10% more washing but 30% less cleaning visits entirely under SCOA, so be aware of the big picture 🙂.

Myth: Demand is Tiny; No One Wants This.

Reality: Demand is untapped and strong! With approaching 200 stays, reviews are overwhelmingly positive for the Self-Clean approach. The belief there is no demand is because nobody offers it. Think Steve Jobs and the iPhone. Nobody was asking for a touch screen phone, just as nobody was asking for the motor car. They wanted faster horses! Now we have Airbnb - a concept that would sound crazy, except it is a multi billion business. Demand exists if you offer what people want, and as crazy as it sounds - yes - many people want to PAY YOU to CLEAN your listing! (And stay as well of course!)

In short, the "weirdness" fades once you try it, much like Airbnb's original air mattress concept seemed odd, but it built an empire. It’s not odd to make beds and do laundry. We all do it. Is it odd at an Airbnb? Only if you think it should be. Is it odd to offer a job as a cleaner for your listing? What if someone answered your job ad? What if they wanted to stay over? Arranging others - who actively want to make beds, do light cleaning, tidy ups and a little laundry isn’t a big deal. It’s smart.

You never know what people will be delighted to pay for, unless you begin offering them options. This was Henry Ford with the model T, Steve Jobs with the iPhone, Brian Chesky with the Airbnb, or Travers with Uber. Who would imagine there were billions to be made - you would never imagine the demand, till you just offered to the market, and became swamped with demand. Self-Cleaning might never make billions, but as a solid gap filler in your calendar, it can bring in a surprising amount of revenue, and get deeper connections with your guests.

Results from Real Listings: Proof in the Pudding

From a host with over 1,000 reviews across five continents, the outcomes are impressive:

Financial Gains: Cleaning costs dropped significantly, with self-clean stays saving more than the discount given. Bookings rose, filling gaps and boosting revenue.

Review Success: Nearly all five-star ratings; multiple "Guest Favorite" badges. Guests praise the affordability, early access, and unique experience.

Operational Efficiency: Easier to handle early check-ins and back-to-backs. Limited to 1-3 consecutive self-cleans before a pro reset prevents buildup.

Long-Term Perks: Some guests became regular cleaners or contra partners, reducing taxes and building relationships. These guests are more flexible, and better communicators than usual.

Overall Impact: Happier hosting with less stress, more connections, and a diversified business. It's not just profitable, it's enjoyable!

Self-Clean Variations on the Theme 

Self-Clean On-Arrival isn't one-size-fits-all. Here are structured variations to mix and match, always with guest consent and clear rules:

Self-Clean On-Arrival

This is the basic model. Guests find and book your novel listing. They arrive at a messy house. They clean it as much as they want. No deep cleaning is needed, as this is done very regularly and professionally anyway by your team. Usually they just do light cleaning, make their beds with provided fresh linen, and put the old linen in the wash. That’s it. Easier than you think.

Note that by hiring a cleaner, they need to drive there and back to your listing. They need to focus on cleaning. They are usually only ‘one person’, not a team. 

Contrast this with Self-Clean guests. They are usually in a group, and they are staying overnight. It only takes a few of the group to sort things quickly, like the old adage saying of ‘Many hands make light work’. These folk are not tasked with deep cleaning (we handle that).

They are also staying overnight at the house, so while the washer and dryer are chugging away - the guests are playing chess and making cocktails. The effort of Self-Cleaning is much reduced due to several factors such as mentioned above.

Convert Professional Cleans to Self-Clean for Perks

Book as standard (full rate with pro clean), but if they ask for an early check-in, offer a switch to self-clean for free, if they want to check-in super early. No discount needed. The convenience is the incentive. Great for last-minute requests. 

This option is not uncommon, but is a form of ‘Have your cake and eat it too’, given guests have paid full rate but ALSO do the ‘Clean On-Arrival’. Depending on the guest communication, I may sometimes offer a small discount to sweeten the deal, however this isn’t always required. Some are just delighted to be able to get in really early and not have to ‘pay’ for this as might be the case in some other listings. It’s always good to have your cake and eat it too 🙂

Upgrade Room-Only Self-Clean to ‘Full House’

Start with guests self-cleaning just their room/bed, then if they seem confident and engaged, you may offer them a deeper discount if they'd tidy the whole house. The usual arrangement is that if you book a Self-Clean room only, you don’t need to do other bedrooms as well. 

Such guests are usually always more flexible than usual ones, and it’s often quite easy to suggest this. Self-Clean guests are already staying, and may be cost conscious too, so an even bigger discount to do a few other rooms can often be a big win for both sides.

Upgrade Self-Clean to Include ‘Depart-Wash’

Some misunderstand self-cleaning to mean you wash and clean after your stay. This seems nicer, to be cleaning your ‘own’ mess. But in reality this model is quite problematic. Guests will almost never clean to the high standards you expect, or not without a lot of coaching. Generally it is hard to justify allowing a guest to do the departure clean, and more often you need to at least check, but also do some additional cleaning polish - of the inevitable bits that were missed.

I do occasionally offer a ‘Depart-Wash’ option. This is where guests may ask for a later check-out, and I usually give this ‘free’ in exchange for them doing their own laundry post-stay. 

The Depart-Wash is a task they can’t get wrong, as there is no strict expectation on quality, given we are always going in after them to finish off, and make the beds. Anything at all they do is a bonus, and which supports the later check-out, as there is (at least theoretically but more often actually too) less work for us to do. We arrive and most of the washing at least, is already done!

Upgrade Self-Clean to Also Include a ‘Bed-Reset’

The addition of a ‘Bed-Reset’ task means the (vetted) guest task was to restore the house to pristine state, fully ready for next guests in all aspects - including fresh rolled towels on the beds. This certainly worked, but was too much work, and too much worry in general. The On-Arrival clean concept means zero worry and zero work, as there are clear expectations set, and never any concern on how it ‘was left’ by the previous guests. 

Despite this, some of my semi-regular Self-Clean guests whom I have solid experience with and good communication with, are offered not only the Depart-Wash but also the Bed Reset option too. It’s not uncommon to have other Airbnb hosts elect to stay under self-cleaning, and you can be sure a fellow host will have the skills and experience to sort things out.

When offering the Bed-Reset option, I do sometimes send my neighbour to check-in if it’s a new guest, however more commonly I offer it only with the requirement of clear photographs of all rooms once they are done. This is very comforting, as it shows exactly how well they did, and if there was anything missed. We can’t see everything on photos, but it’s usually clear enough - and to be honest most seem to do a great job. Remember, they are not tasked with deep cleaning, so there is only so much grime that can accumulate since the last professional clean a few days ago.

So while I don’t generally offer a Depart-Wash or Bed-Reset option as a listing anymore, I might in future again now I have learned so much about this model. More commonly though, it’s an offer I give to guests who are already wanting to engage in a Self-Clean arrangement, AND whom I have a good feeling about. I offer premium accommodation in a fairly well to do area, so I want to ensure standards are high, even with my Self-Clean guests. 

Fake Self-Clean

It is actually not uncommon to have Self-Clean guests arrive at an ‘already sparkling’ clean home. They expected to clean on their arrival, but it was already done. Why? Several reasons. Maybe there was a booking that was cancelled. Maybe there was a gap of a week to next booking, and the house was cleaned in expectation of new guests. Maybe it was time to do a deep clean, and restore order and supplies. For whatever reason, it is occasionally the case that this happens.

It’s a good thing. Think of it as the guests booked a slightly lower rate, but you are still earning. They filled a last minute gap in the calendar. Yes you could have arranged it that you didn’t need to clean. This ‘Fake Self-Clean’ is under promising, over delivering. It is easy to be annoyed, and see these guests as getting value they ‘should not’ somehow. This isn’t the right mindset. 

Focus on segmenting the market. You would be far less likely to have these dates booked normally. So any revenue you get above the cleaning expenses, is pure profit that you would not otherwise get. Amusingly, one of my older cleaners was always incensed that some guests got the unexpected benefit. She wanted me to consider charging them ‘extra’ if they didn’t have to clean, or that they should do extra work to repay their benefit. 

I never saw it that way. I always saw it as a win-win. They got a bonus, while I got empty gap dates filled. Did it matter that they got more value than they booked? Such guests may leave even nicer reviews, or perhaps be more open to a Depart-Wash task to help out. So while I tried to arrange it so Self-Clean guests get an ‘opportunity’ to clean, either way it was a good thing.

On the guest side, they can feel like winners. Bonus! Mention this to ensure they are clear, and remind them that they got an extra benefit. There is a lot in ‘market segmentation’. Rich folk would never want to ‘clip coupons’, while poor folk would never be able to afford rich prices. By offering Self-Clean that may not appeal to some, you can fill gaps by opening up to new demand, and different price points. Experiment!

Full Price Self-Clean

Best is to set very high rates for Self-Clean listings, but discount heavily closer to the time. This has a perverse effect of having your high priced listing sometimes booked at rates that may exceed the normal listing rates. Yet these guests are doing their own cleaning. What gives? 

Yes, it seems crazy. However - some guests want the super early check-in, and sometimes the Airbnb algorithms may promote your ‘unreasonably high rate’ listing to them, and magically they pay. For whatever reason - it is surprising, but a reality.. that your Self-Clean guests may be paying at least as much, and sometimes more than regular guests. Winners!

It is worth noting this, that it is generally better to price ‘up’ the Self-Clean listing, but keep it available long in advance. The alternative of setting only a short term window for these listings may remove the unexpected windfall of getting occasional full price bookings (or even more) that come with the pleasant absence of any cleaning expenses.

Recruit Self-Clean Guests as Repeat Cleaners

If a self-clean guest excels and enjoys it, invite them back as paid (or contra) cleaners for professional bookings. Some have become long-term helpers and co-hosts. Some do my gardening, some do maintenance. Some guests have done supply runs for me to get toilet paper and coffee, for a discount on their stay.

Trade a complimentary night (or more) for the guest handling a self-clean. Benefits: Zero cleaning fees, no taxes on "services," and builds loyalty. Perfect for regulars who often enjoy it, and appreciate the flexibility.

There is far more chance of a deeper connection with Self-Clean guests. Why? Because they are vetted to begin. They are flexible and open minded. They are good communicators. Evidence of this can even be seen in review comments. I’ve noticed longer, happier and nicer review comments on my (three) self-clean listings than my professional one! And higher ratings too!

So given this is the type of guest you are attracting and engaging with - you are far more likely to create new opportunities. Like giving them discounts on their stay to mow the lawn, or wash the windows. The commute for these guests is pretty short, given they wake up in your home - so it’s far more likely, and encouraged - to seek arrangements that work for both. Why pay for services when you can cleverly arrange for others to essentially pay you to do your chores!

Last-Minute Discount Tiering

Maybe you make a slim margin on cleaning fees. Maybe you don’t want Self-Clean guests taking dates that could go to slightly higher paying professionally cleaned bookings. To maximise revenue, you don’t want to offer a Self-Clean listing at discounted rates, but you do want it discounted as a ‘gap filler’, close to time. Slightly reduced revenue for a date is better than not being booked at all, and getting no revenue - and regardless there is less admin to arrange cleaning as well.

The solution could be to block off a Self-Clean listing for dates far in the future. But surprisingly, some folk still book this listing, even at a price similar or even more sometimes than your main listing. With the possibility of increased income by allowing such bookings say a year in advance (e.g. for a wedding party eager to get an early check-in), it’s best to leave the listing open, but set aggressive last minute discounting. Do not set the calendar to block dates more than three months in advance for example. A full year covers some wedding parties who may want early check-ins.

You could use clever pricing tools like PriceLabs for managing pricing and availability for your Self-Clean listings (which work well on main listings), but they may not be ‘tuned’ to understand the Self-Clean market, as it is different and can’t be directly compared to rates on normal listings. Besides, the standard Airbnb last minute discount tools seem perfectly adequate, and with a lot fewer bookings for the Self-Clean model, it may make more financial sense to just use Airbnb instead for managing discounts.

Set high, escalating last minute discounts (e.g., 25% off 1 month out, 45% within two weeks). Rates for ‘far in the future’ should cover what you would usually make from a normal booking, or perhaps even slightly more. You don’t want too many Self-Clean bookings together, else you may need to schedule a professional clean just to restore order and restock supplies. One or two is perfect, but they are best managed as interleaved between normal bookings. It isn’t viable to have too many in a row as this misses deep cleaning tasks. So price accordingly to have some, but not too many in a row.

Tiered Listing Types

If your home has several bedrooms, it can be smart to rent two or more rooms independently, as well as the whole house. This is easy with Airbnb’s linked listings, that automatically block the whole house if a room is booked, or vice versa.

My main home is five bedrooms, which is rented across a total of four separate private room listings. By setting Airbnb’s last minute discounts carefully, you can favour bookings for ‘Whole House’ above rooms, but allow rooms to be booked if there are gaps in the calendar in the next few weeks. 

Often private rooms are only booked close to the current date anyway, where ‘Whole House’ is more so booked for events far in the future, like after a ‘Save the date’ letter for a wedding has been received perhaps as much as a year in advance. So while you can and perhaps should consider accepting just a room bookings far in advance, even a weekend - it would need to be priced extremely high. Because the goal would be to earn more from renting two or three rooms on that date than you might with a whole house booking.

So it is unlikely but rare to get booked for just a room with such high rates, yet smart management can make it more profitable. If you do unexpectedly book far in advance for a single room, you can then lower the rate on the other rooms (to a more normal setting - not a punitive high rate) to encourage them to be booked, given you can’t then rent ‘Whole House’. The goal being to ensure several rooms are booked together.

Self-Clean: Private Rooms vs Whole Home

My home has five bedrooms, though only ONE of these listings is a dedicated Self-Clean room, as the others are all professional clean room listings. While it may seem odd to have a mixture of listing types for the rooms, it works well. Sometimes just the Self-Clean room is booked alone, meaning zero work to clean and reset for this guest, as they do it themselves. 

Other times there may be a professional cleaned room booking together with a Self-Clean guest. Here I may either clean both rooms professionally - and give an unexpected ‘welcome bonus’ to a guest who had booked under the Self-Clean arrangement and who would be delighted to discover such work was not even needed. They likely would not have booked otherwise if they had to pay cleaning fees and a slightly higher rate, so I chalk this up to a benefit of segmenting the market.

Alternatively, given the Self-Clean guest is already vetted and comfortable with such tasks, I may consider offering them a further discount if they would kindly also do the other room as well, and prepare for the next guest (a Bed-Reset). 

Requires a greater level of management and trust, but especially for repeat Self-Clean guests who are already proven, or if you get a good feel from the communication, it isn’t a big stretch to ask them to do just one other room or even more. You may need to consider coordinating check-in/out times of the self-Clean guest to ensure it fits the other tasks and guest movements on these dates.

Given it’s not a whole house clean they need to tackle, it’s usually not a big deal to offer them ‘just one more room’ to clean - as the cleaning is pretty light, and primarily it’s remaking the bed with the supplied fresh linen, and putting used linen into the washer.

But in more extreme cases, I have almost fully discounted a stay, or offered an extension or second stay free - in exchange for them doing a full house clean and reset. Provided they communicate well, and send quality photographs of each room to check their work, it can be a great alternative to having to pay professional cleaners to come any more than they already do, which is usually at least once a week anyway.

Calendar Syncing Note: Airbnb has an excellent way to link listings, such as rooms within a ‘Whole House’. However, it’s not designed to link one ‘Whole House’ to another ‘Whole House’. Usually nobody needs to do that. But when you get creative, and run a Self-Clean Whole house, you either need to designate it as a Private room - which is wrong, or keep it as Whole house but not link it to the main professionally cleaned listing.

It’s a small annoyance, which requires some ‘occasional’ manual blocking of the calendar, when guests book the ‘Whole House’ Self-Clean listing (but it’s fine if they book the professional clean one. Confused? Yes, a small technical glitch. Maybe you have a solution? But I’ve had trouble, even trying to use external calendar references instead of linking Airbnb listings directly. Help me!

Amusing Anecdotes: The Lighter Side of Self-Clean

Here are some real, amusing real life stories:

The Pre-Wedding Polish: Imagine a bride arriving the night before her big day, rolling up her sleeves to tidy the place. She said "Loved the early check-in, and cleaning was therapeutic before the chaos!" Who knew wedding prep included mopping? Many guest groups are for fancy weddings. You smile seeing fancy cars in the driveway on your security camera, and know they are making the beds and doing laundry. Who knew!

Why should I pay you to do your Chores?: Yes. This was one of my very early comments from a guest. Who inquired about my listing that clearly said it was a Self-Clean. He could not get over the fact that he would be paying, and also cleaning. I tried to sell him on the lower rate, and early check-in, but no. He seemed offended, despite inquiring on a listing that was pretty clear. I wrongly assumed many would be offended or confused, but oddly, after many years now - he was the only one. I still chuckle. Yes, you pay to stay, and you clean. Yes, you are paying AND doing chores. At face value it is of course sounding crazy, and yet it works so well for a great many guests.

Lazy Linen Lovers: It’s not uncommon for some guests (often worker crews) to skip changing sheets altogether, declaring the beds "fine as is." One lady from GreenPeace was adamant she didn’t want to pollute the earth by doing laundry and putting more chemicals into the waterway. I’d not thought of that before, but she said quite candidly "If it smells clean, looks and feels clean and washed a few days ago, why needlessly pollute the earth? Thanks for the option!" As a host, it's eye-opening how chill some folks are. She may be in a minority, but she does have a point, given the global warming crisis. Ultimately though, we are not the bed police, so as long as the guests are happy and have access to fresh laundered linen, it’s not up to hosts to ‘enforce’ standards. 

Cleaning Enthusiasts: Multiple guests have confessed they enjoy the task, as if it was a therapeutic activity. Some seem to be fishing for compliments - as why would Mavis send photos of her neatly made beds and advise she also did some cleaning in the kitchen cupboards (without being asked). Some folk like the activity. Go figure. Your messy listing becomes their zen zone, but they are also paying you to enjoy the activity. I’ve considered offering it as a paid Airbnb Experience. No - really. It’s a thing. Read the reviews… I still can’t get over it!

The Accidental Origin: It all started as a half-joke offer for an early check-in request. I got bored replying to requests that there is no way I can get my 5 bed home cleaned by midday - unless you want to do it I said once, not expecting the response. The guest jumped at it, and it worked. As I gave the answer more, I ended up making a separate listing - and that led to a flood of demand. 

Sometimes, innovation comes from desperation and a dash of humor. I can hand on heart say with conviction that I never imagined it would ever be a thing, that people wanted to pay me to clean my home, and that I would get more bookings if I offered this. Like.. never!

Overall: These tales highlight the human side. Guests aren't just saving money; they're creating memorable stories, and getting real benefits - super early check in, cheaper rates - and a home that is so perfectly cleaned as they want it to be, since of course they want to be the cleaner!

Final Thoughts: Give It a Go with Confidence

Self-Clean On-Arrival is a fresh, positive twist on hosting that empowers flexible guests, cuts your costs, and fills those pesky gaps, all while keeping things light and fun. It's not about skimping on standards but smartly segmenting your market. Focus on managing guests through the light cleaning tasks, and vet thoroughly. Experiment to find what fits your listing. 

With frequent professional cleanings as your backbone, you can intersperse these stays for big wins. If you're adventurous, start small: Test on one listing with strict vetting. You might be surprised, like the host who stumbled into this and now calls it an "amazing success." Me!

Happy hosting. May your calendars stay full and your guests keep smiling!

Getting Started Checklist: Self-Clean Listings

1. Learn more about SCOA. Review other SCOA listings. Understand and research how it is presented, the wording rates and requirements. Read former guest review comments. Read this SCOA introduction guide carefully. Learn more about how it works!

2. Create an entirely new SCOA listing for your space. Start small, such as with just one room, if you have a few rooms in your house. Once you get the hang of the one room SCOA listing, you can expand it to a Whole House.

3. Update Listing Title and Text with clear SCOA terms (“Self‑Clean On‑Arrival, light cleaning required, early check‑in included”). Use the terminology exactly as recommended in the listing title and description, with capitals and hyphens, to accentuate the SCOA term, given few understand it now. So use ‘Self-Clean On-Arrival’. Not ‘Arrival self cleaning’ or many other variants.
   
   We should aim to standardise and simplify this model to encourage adoption for any host that wants to try it. The focus is the self cleaning, and then it is on arrival, as you could also have Self-Clean On-Departure, but the term DepartWash may be better, if you do not expect them to do a Bed-Reset as well (meaning fully clean and prepare for next guests).

4. Draft an FAQ. Explain what is needed and include a “magic word” confirmation within the text. Require guests who book to share this magic word back to you, as proof they have read enough to at least find this word. Include clear reference to ‘Extra fees’, namely: If guests fail to take out the garbage for collection, if staying over garbage night - there may be a $40 fee, given you may then need to take refuse to the tip for disposal at your cost. Require them to message you to confirm acceptance or that the task is done.
   
   Consider security cameras placed to see the bins by the house or out on the street so you can check if that suits your location. List an extra cleaning fee if they do not do laundry, and end up leaving more washing than when they arrived.
   
   It’s fine if they are comfortable to sleep in the existing sheets if they really want (which were often washed professionally just the night or two before), but assuming they do remake their beds fresh - they must do laundry. If not, your message says with humor that the Wifi connected washer will dob on them, and they may be liable for an extra cleaning fee. So far I’ve not had to charge this, but it’s part luck, and part clever attentive management. Merely advertising there IS a fee will help reduce concerns in this area.

5. Configure Listing Calendars: Link listings so any whole house, or professionally cleaned listing is the master, and any room listing is the child listing, so calendars are automatically managed for any booking. Set rates to be higher than usual (to discourage far away bookings), but discounted heavily close to the current date. Try 25% a month out, then 45% two-weeks out. Ensure any booking rate gives adequate profit to cover everything comfortably.

6. Configure Automated Scheduled Messages: Set specific welcome messages that include reference to ‘Thank you for booking my Self-Clean On-Arrival listing, and agreeing to do light cleaning and bed making when you arrive, as part of your stay…’
   
   The Auto-Check-Out message might also remind the laundry responsibilities. Such as: “Don’t leave more used laundry to wash than when you got there. Please do a load, or else we may need to levy an extra laundry fee, and we don’t want to do that!” 

7. Update Laundry Facilities. To properly manage self cleaning, your home should ideally have more than one washer & dryer. My five bed home has two washers (one is 18kg!) and five dryers. A bit overkill, but given the volume of laundry my professional cleaners do it is efficient, but also for guests too. You want to make it ‘even easier’ to do laundry, if you are offering guests to do laundry - when they are not so familiar with your setup.
   
   Laundry Pro-tips: Always have separate dryers, not ‘all in one’ combo units, as that slows things down. Also, get ‘Heat Pump’ dryers. They use way less electricity than air dryers or condensation dryers -, and also, they don’t pump damp humid air into the laundry. Also means you can plug three dryers into the one outlet, where a normal air dryer uses so much more power. They need to be only a max one per powerpoint, else it will overload your circuits and trip the fuse.
   
   Get washers that automatically dispense liquid detergent, so guests never need to fill it up each wash. Get a large machine that has enough liquid for two weeks or more of heavy washing. Make it easy for guests to do laundry. Get units that have Wifi connections, so you can remote monitor guest laundry activities (as well as your own professional cleaners too). Print signs up in the laundry to easily explain to guests how to turn on/start the machine etc.

8. Fresh Linen Tubs: Buy large under-bed plastic containers. Get solid but flat ones that can slide neatly under the beds. You need to make it super easy for guests to make their own beds fresh. Fill the tubs with everything needed to remake a bed. Fresh laundered top and bottom sheet, pillow cases and towels. Usually the quilt/doona cover is washed less often if you use a top sheet, which speeds up washing and makes it easier for guests too. Think of the tub as a whole complete package for that room, so guests do not need to go to find the linen cupboard. It also helps stocktake, as you can be sure you have fresh linen for a room if the tub is set. Put a large printed sign on the tub to make it clear and encouraging.
   
   “WELCOME! Your fresh laundered linen is right here. Use them to remake your bed fresh. Put any used linen into the wash. Don’t change the doona/quilt cover unless needed - we wash them less often. Enjoy your stay!”

9. Toilet Paper: With slightly longer bookings, if a SCOA comes after a normal one, it can be a good idea to ensure there is no chance of running out of this key item. Get toilet paper spikes for the bathroom that can store four rolls, and buy double length rolls. Where you are allowing guests to take a bit more responsibility if they self-clean, ensure they at least never need to worry about finding and refilling the toilet paper, as there is always ‘more than usual’ available in the toilets - than may be in more regular listings.

10. Overstock Supplies: To make it easy for guests, always ensure there are great appliances such as vacuum cleaners, mops, paper towels, garbage bags and cleaning supplies. Level up slightly in this area, as you are moving some of the work to guests, off the professional cleaners who would be comfortable buying more supplies if needed. Guests should never need to buy anything - you should have ample supplies on-site, so they don’t need to worry.

11. Vet Potential Guests: Assume guests have not read anything about your listing, and just blindly clicked ‘Book’. It happens. Make it a requirement that they provide the magic word, to prove they have read the arrangement. Ask them, or clarify in messages, such as ‘thank you for agreeing to clean after the previous guests…this arrangement is.. Etc’. I have never once had a guest be ‘surprised’ and then disappointed they booked a self-clean listing, but the key is to focus on the way you advertise your listing and set expectations, but also the vetting process.
    
    Take care if guests have extremely short messages, as this indicates concern on their communication and mindset. Always find ways to engage with such guests a little if you can. Require several messages to get a feel for them. If they are positive, upbeat and clear, and communicate well - this is a sign you can accept. If not, politely decline and offer them a full professional clean listing as an alternative. Don’t risk accepting just any old guest - they need to actively want to clean your space, AND show their capability and enthusiasm. There are plenty of guests just like this, so don’t waste time on those who will be a problem later on.

12. Monitor / Engage SCOA Guests (During Stay): Don’t see it quite set and forget like usual bookings, where you leave guests to it once checked-in. Be more engaged with these guests. Ask them how it went, or if they need any advice with the washer etc. You don’t need to always, but it’s good to generate a healthy rapport, and ensure there is no confusion on their responsibility in case they ‘forget’ tasks (like the bins).
    
    If managed well, you can make guests happier with their stay by simply connecting more deeply with them. You may sound like you are being ‘helpful’, and while this may be true, another reason is to ensure all is going well there. An absence of communication may lead you to worry, and remind them of the ‘bin fee’ if they are too busy to take it out, as you have not heard from them and so on. The more you communicate effectively, the more this model works.

13. Encourage Guest Feedback: Both in messages to you directly, but also in reviews. Encourage them to mention their experience with this novel listing type as it is a bit different, but be active seeking feedback. Send a reminder request for a review if they have not. It can be helpful to have new guests see reviews that say it wasn’t really so hard to remake the beds etc. Hosts should not push guests to be inauthentic, but politely encouraging guests to write a review or reminding (once only) a few days later if not done is a sign of good hosting, and something even fancy hotels do - encouraging reviews on Trip Advisor. Sadly Airbnb doesn’t (yet) have an automated way to send a follow up message to guests who have not left a review after ‘x’ days - but it’s not hard to do manually.

14. Support Professional Cleaning. Post stay after a SCOA, cleaners may sometimes have slightly more work to do, and in part due to there simply being more days since the last deep clean, though also because guests doing laundry means there is always something a bit out of place and needs some attention.
    
    It’s not so much, but ensure that the cleaners do a great job, as your SCOA model does lengthen the time of stays by running them together without a professional clean in between. Ensure the cleaners fully restock all the tubs, and empty the machines, and that there is adequate supplies. This is normal for any clean, but there could be a slight level up of cleaning preparation, to better cater to a high quality Self-Clean listing model.

15. Encourage other hosts. This model isn’t for everyone, but it has been shown to be very effective, not only in significantly reducing costs and increasing revenue, but also in the guest reviews quality and rating scores. It’s different. It’s easy to completely misunderstand the model. Some online host forums have ‘panicked hosts’ denigrating the concept and being horrified, which is a shame and slightly painful. Such hosts seem unable to see the reality, and can’t be corrected. There is often an emotive response, more than a logical one.
    
    The reality should be the results - guest happiness and financial returns, not the fear of something new, or of allowing others to host slightly differently to the way they may want to.
    
    So if it works for you, consider sharing the idea, so that for others who may like it but have never heard of it, they can be given some new ideas. I wish I had such a guide as this when I began hosting a decade ago - but now I decided to spend a considerable amount of time writing a guide, to help any other fellow hosts who may want to experiment and adopt this Self-Clean model. Not as a replacement to normal hosting and professional cleaning - but as an enhancement to it.
    
    Also, if it really works for you, then consider on your next stay at another Airbnb, ask for a discount to do a ‘Self-Clean On-Arrival’. Explain it. Who knows, you may get an easy discount, or may help a fellow host discover there could be a whole new market to tap into!

By intentionally interspersing a handful of Self‑Clean On‑Arrival nights among your professional cleans, you can unlock extra occupancy, slash turnover costs, and even create a memorable, hands-on experience for the right kind of guest. It’s unconventional, but as Brian Chesky once bet on air‑mattresses, sometimes the weirdest ideas yield the biggest wins. Why not give it a try?

This guide covers plenty of good advice for this model and is free! For those who want to further enhance and learn more, feel free to contact me for private coaching and to review / assist their listings and scheduled messaging etc. Happy to help. See www.tesla.tours

Review Examples for Self-Clean On-Arrival Listings

Self Clean - On Arrival House: www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/53819004/reviews

Self Clean - DepartWash House: www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/53912020/reviews

Self Clean - On Arrival ROOM: www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/5430082/reviews 

Literally my worst Self-Clean review is still very positive! 3pm isn’t really ‘late’ for a check-in is it?

See below. Amanda originally booked a normal ‘professional clean’ listing. But following her early check-in request, she was switched to a ‘Self-Clean’ listing. She did such a great job cleaning, she is now a Co-Host on the listing too, and also a regular cleaner. Shows how Self-Clean often attracts high quality guests who communicate well and are enthusiastic. It is easy to find new opportunities with such good people. Bring on more Self-Clean guests!

One amusing early guest comment. Yes, this is exactly how it works. You pay me, and clean my house! Of course there is the lovely accommodation, slightly lower rates and early check-in, but sadly that seemed lost on Sunil - he never booked in the end, but hundreds after him have!

National TV Interviews about short term hosting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cwcLjvtrhc 

https://youtu.be/rCoQdw6qDYs 

https://youtu.be/hvLOJSizS0o